Ideas
Cielo di Fantasia
(KHR x FFVII)
"Hello there, are you lost?"
Fifteen year old, freshly-out-of-Nibelheim and clearly gawked at Midgar, Cloud Strife jumped in surprise. He turned around to see another blonde teenager, perhaps three or four years older than him, almost bend down to his eyes level.
Curse his late bloomer gene!
"Uhh, hellooo? Anyone here?"
Realizing he was staring, Cloud shifted uneasy. "Ummm... y-yeah..." his cheek tinged with pink. He never likes admit weakness. Kids back home always picking him up whenever they could. "I was searching for ShinRa Company Building."
The older blonde raised an eyebrow. "ShinRa? For what? Job application?"
"Yeah. I wanna join SOLDIER."
"Ahh. General Sephiroth's fanboy?"
"H-How did you know?!"
The older blonde laughed. "You are not the first one, neither you will be the last. To be honest it was to be expected. I mean, sure SOLDIER has Holy Trinity—but Sephiroth was the one they used as promotional source. So badly that the other two was considered as his lackey of some sort if I have to be crass, and it annoys them. Commander Rhapsodos in particular have no qualms making his opinion known loud and clear." He chuckled.
Cloud winces. Well, this guy was not wrong. He have to read the news carefully to find something about the Commander Rhapsodos and Commander Hewley whereas he can find General Sephiroth on Front Page. And due the command chain they have to follow General's order. Lackey-of-some-sort, indeed.
...he will never say that to their face. Never.
"So, umm... ShinRa SOLDIER... you know where to apply?"
"Eh, sure. I can take you there. Follow me."
Cloud almost sagged in relief. He slung his bag over his shoulder and follow this strange teen through roads of Midgar. Occasionally take alley and empty streets which was said to be "Shortcut". It looks shady, but so far nothing bad happened so Cloud will give his "guide" the benefit of doubt.
Speaking of the this guy... he was wearing clothes Cloud never seen before. Black pants and boots, normal. But Black button up coat with orange accents, double row of button and it had "tail" down from waist to knee? Nope. Never seen that before. And there's red armband with character similar to one he saw at Master Zangan's house... a Wutaian Character. And the hat has weird accessory at front too.
"Are you wutaian?" Cloud blurted out. "W-well, I don't mean to insult but that character similar to wutai character I once saw. B-but you are blonde, though... perhaps some Wutai Blood or have in-depth knowledge about Wutai Language? Was it taught at school in Midgar? Is that even allowed? The Wutai War is not over yet, so is it alright for you to walk with that on? Also—" Cloud paused and blushed to tip of ears.
He was rambling.
Gaia...
The older blonde stared at him, before covered his mouth and start laughing.
"Aw... aren't you adorable?" He cooed, which made Cloud's blush darkened. "To answer your question, I don't know if I have Wutai blood, but one of my minder was Wutaian so I learn one or two thing from him. But... yeah. You're right. I should take it off." He rip the armband off and pocketed it. "No need to draw attention. Thanks, for telling me."
"...you're welcome?" This guy is weird. "So, what's your name?"
"Shouldn't you introduce yourself?"
Cloud blushed, again. Gaia, why did today he made fools out of himself? Multiple times, too? "Cloud Strife."
"Rufus. If you want my surname, forget it. I won't tell you. Never like it, either. If I can choose I'll go with my mom's maiden name—but of course that won't be acceptable. You can't have your mom's last name, you only could have yer dad's. Why you don't want it? His name is powerful. You can do anything with it. Isn't that wonderful?" His voice was dripping in sarcasm. "What a load of bull. Powerful, my white lily arse. Problematic more like it!"
Seems like someone have daddy issue.
"If your father is even as half as that pig, you would have daddy issue too!"
Cloud stared. "Did you just read my mind?" Because, what the hell?
Rufus snorted. "Nah. Your expression like open book for me. Learn some poker face, will you? Oh. Here we are."
Before they knew it, they were already in front gate of ShinRa Building. Cloud gulped. It certainly look bigger than what the picture portray it as. And more intimidating. And menacing. And... darker?
"SOLDIER application located in third floor. Enter the lobby, get in the line for elevator. Once you got off the elevator, there's a Security. You can ask them." Rufus pointed at the building. "Just a warning, I hope you have great stamina cuz you will do lots of running."
Cloud gulped. Well... good thing he's from Nibelheim. And for the first time he was thankful his bullies chase him all around the village and into forest. "Got any tips I can use?" He did not squeaked. Nope.
Rufus take a thoughtful pose. "I don't care how much you admires the General or commander or anyone, but keep your back straight and stuttering out of your voice if they address you. Don't get droopy eyes on them. Watch out for your squadmates because, let's face it, you are cute and it comes with consequences. Oh, keep eyes on whoever with white lab coat, especially if the person has stringy black hair, glasses, and goes with name Hojo. You don't want to caught his attention. Trust me. There's lots of scary stories regarding him you can get from almost everyone."
"...Thank you."
"You're welcome." Rufus pat Cloud's head. "Wish you luck. Who knows, someday we'll meet again."
~X~
"...I know you're here, Tseng. You can come out."
The entire floor was almost empty when Rufus returned for the night. Keyword being almost, as a man in navy blue suit stepped out from shadows.
"Two hours twenty seven minutes. Not bad from the previous three hours and ten." Rufus leaned against a wall, blue eyes shone in mirth when he find the dark haired man twitched ever so slightly it almost unnoticeable.
It was fun game.
"...you are the perpetrator behind the prank that leave Science Division now on shortage of Mako Substances and some vital equipment, and false bomb in VR Room #3, as well the marsh song that played for hours end this morning."
"Guilty as charged and ain't apologizing for that." Grinned Rufus. "Come on, you don't like Hojo either. Don't you said you want to strangle that creep and be done with it after he once express interest on you?"
Tseng twitched. He never forget that one day and still could felt it. "It's not proper reason for the chaos, Vice-President." Pausing a bit. "You know the drill."
The smirk wiped off and Rufus slumped. "Yes yes. I'll do the paperworks and cost for damage repair for VR come out from my pocket. Anything else?"
"No."
"Good. Because I have a job for you."
Now Tseng give him full attention.
Rufus Shinra rarely assign him, or any of the Turks, with mission. If ever. Unlike his father, when the young heir want something done, he prefer to do it himself, regardless of what anyone said for the matter. So for him to say he has a job for Turk... what it could be?
"There's a SOLDIER Cadet goes by name Cloud Strife. I'd like you to get a DNA sample from him and compares it to mine."
Tseng raised an eyebrow. "You suspect him to be one of President's illegitimate child."
"I'm pretty sure he take it after his mother—but yes. I do."
The Turk hummed. "What do you want, then, if he is President's illegitimate child?"
Rufus' eyes narrowed. "If he is not, then let him be. He is not a danger. Only someone who felt like breath of fresh air... and someone I wish to befriend." Cloud's mumbling and his adorable blushing face from earlier flashed in his mind. "But if he is my younger brother, then I want all files about him, from his background to his class and mission. I will train him how to survive and what to do when things goes FUBAR, because SOLDIER only taught the battle-oriented skill. I will tell him the truth, as well shield him from ShinRa political shit-fest and Hojo. He should never have to deal with those vultures." He growled.
"I understand, sir." Tseng nodded and excuse himself. Already making plan how to approach this cadet and take a sample of his DNA without outed as suspicious.
Rufus meanwhile walks to the glass wall in his private floor and look up at the sky. An ugly, dark, starless and moonless sky.
What a fitting sky for ugly town.
"I will not fail." He whispered. "I will not let Nibelheim burned down. I will not let you go through the horror of losing your best friend and your sense of identity. I will never let Hojo touch you." His eyes shifted from blue to burning orange. From brilliant summer sky to dawn or dusk.
For a brief moment, the reflection in the glass changed into a man with brown hair and burning orange eyes. A man he once was, before this shit happens.
Fuck Canon.
He may answer to Rufus Shinra, but he is not, will never be, the Rufus Shinra. He will not be puppet in this rotting, corrupt company, nor he will inherit that bloody throne. He refuse to be damsel who have to be saved when terrorist attack. He refuse to condemns millions to death. He refuse to stood in sidelines and let someone do his dirty work.
He refuse to be that Rufus Shinra.
He will be different Rufus Shinra.
"I Swear on My Dying Will."
TBC
Originally planned Tsuna-reincarnated-as-Cloud, but then 'Why not Rufus? Both inherit a blood-soaked throne from "Family Business" ' so, Voila. Tsuna reborn as Rufus instead.
